If you are moving to Finland with your spouse/partner and family, it is important to carefully consider the practical arrangements for the family members, so that they would also have a fulfilling and productive stay in Finland. The following information is intended to help make the transition to Finland as smooth as possible for new staff members and their families.
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The term family member refers to
- married spouse
- registered partner
- cohabiting partner
- guardian of a child under 18 years of age
- child
A broader definition is applicable for family members of EU citizens
In order to register your family members with the Finnish authorities, you will need to provide legalized and translated documents of your marriage certificate and birth certificates for children.
More information: Digital and Population Data Services Agency: Registration of a foreigner in the Population Information System
Families are supported in Finland through various forms of services and income transfers. The Municipality of Residence (kotikuntaoikeus / hemorträtt) gives access to municipal services, such as health services. Most social security benefits are provided by Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Eligibility for Finnish social security benefits is based on residence in Finland. If you intend to move to Finland permanently, you will normally be covered by the Finnish social security system and will qualify for Kela benefits as soon as you move to Finland. The Municipality of Residence also gives the right to certain other discounts, e.g. in public transportation.
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In Finland, maternity clinics (äitiysneuvola) provide comprehensive health services for pregnant women and their families. These clinics offer a range of services, including:
- Prenatal Care: Regular check-ups with nurses and doctors to monitor the health of both the mother and the baby throughout the pregnancy
- Health Education: Information and guidance on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting
- Screenings: Tests for structural and chromosomal abnormalities during pregnancy
- Support Services: Emotional and practical support for expectant parents, including home visits and group sessions
- Postnatal Care: Follow-up care after childbirth to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the newborn.
If you find out you’re pregnant in Finland, you should contact a Maternity Clinic as soon as possible. These clinics provide comprehensive prenatal care and support throughout your pregnancy. During your first visit, you’ll meet with a nurse who will guide you through the process, conduct initial health checks, and provide important information about your pregnancy.
You will visit the Maternity Clinic for regular check-ups, which include ultrasounds, blood tests, and other necessary screenings to monitor your health and the baby’s development. The clinics also provide information on nutrition, exercise, childbirth, and parenting. All families are invited to participate in prenatal classes and to discuss their birth plan with the healthcare provider.
After the baby is born, you will continue to visit the clinic for postnatal check-ups to ensure the well-being of both you and your newborn.
When the baby is born, the local Child Health Centre (lastenneuvola) monitors the child's development and growth as well as vaccinates the child in accordance with the National Vaccination Programme from the birth until the school age. The families are given individual support in the child's upbringing and nurture. All conversations are confidential. Services of Child Health Clinics are free of charge for all residents in Finland.
More information: Quick guide for families with children
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Daycare offers an environment where the child is able to play, learn and participate in everyday routines. The premises, equipment and materials of day care are tailored to suit the age and needs of the child. An early childhood education plan is the guideline all municipal and private daycare centres and family daycare centres follow.The following day care alternatives are available:
- Municipal daycare centre
- Private daycare centre
- Family day care or three family daycare
- Play club activities
A daycare place for a child can be applied for at anytime of the year. Applications should be submitted four months before the desired start of the day care. Contact information of daycare centres, application forms and fee calculators are available on the web-sites of municipalities in Finland.
Where do I find day care for a child aged under 6? (suomi.fi)
In Finland, preschools (esiopetus) are an integral part of the education system, providing early childhood education for children typically aged six, in the year before they start compulsory basic education at age seven. Children must attend pre-primary education for one year before starting comprehensive school. This education is free of charge and is usually provided by municipalities.
Enrol a 6–15-year-old in pre-primary or basic education (suomi.fi)
The child is usually allocated a place in a school near where you live or in some other suitable place, which makes school travel as short and safe as possible. The local authorities have a statutory duty to provide education for children of compulsory school age living in their areas. The parent(s) can also, for a justified reason, apply for a place in a school other than the child's nearest school. If there are more applicants than available places, certain qualification criteria will be applied. Please note that in this case the parent(s) are responsible for covering any possible school transportation costs.
Typically, a child needs to be enrolled to start school (first graders) in late January or early February. If your child is at a higher grade or you move to Finland during the school year, please contact the education department in your city.
Schools up to university level are almost exclusively funded and administered by the municipalities in Finland. There are few private schools. Public schools are uniformly of a high quality. The local or school curriculum is based on a national core curriculum. As a rule, all teachers have a Master's level university degree. There is, however, relatively little extracurricular activity, and children's free-time activities are often quite separate from those during the school day.
If you are moving to Finland with school-aged (6-18) children, education is compulsory for them. Comprehensive education begins during the year when the child turns seven and ends when all courses have been completed, or 10 years have elapsed from the beginning of the compulsory education. Lower stage comprehensive school takes six years, grades 1-6, and upper stage comprehensive school comprises years 7-9. Basic education including textbooks, tools etc. is free of charge. In addition, pupils are offered a free daily meal.
Compulsory education aims to provide equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their background.
The most common options after comprehensive school are general upper secondary school and vocational education.
After comprehensive school, all young people have to study until they graduate from secondary education or reach the age of 18.
Upper secondary education options include general upper secondary school, vocational education and training, preparatory instruction for upper secondary qualifications, and education offered by folk high schools for those of compulsory education age.
After finishing your upper secondary studies, you can progress to higher education. In Finland, higher education is provided by universities and universities of applied sciences. Universities and educational institutes decide on student admission.
For more information about the Finnish education system, please see infofinland.fi.
The school year begins in mid-August and ends in late May or early June. The school year is interrupted by several vacations: Autumn break (in October), Christmas vacation, Winter vacation (one week in February/March) and Easter break (4 days). Students attend school Monday through Friday.
- More information on compulsory education is found on the Finnish ministry of Education an culture website.
- More information about Comprehensive schools and the finnish school system: